...pivo. When I am in Prague, that is. Where pivo is cheaper than anything else you'll find on the menu. Where pivo has the highest per capita consumption in the world. America's 20 gallons/pp pales in comparison to the Czech Repubic's 40 gallons/pp. Burp!
How to order a pivo in Prague?
1. Find a pub. It would be harder to NOT find a pub in Prague.
"99 Bottles of Pivo on the Wall"
Prague, Czech Republic
2. Upon entering pub, notice the sign hanging on the door. It will be a beer company sign, and it means this is the beer served in the pub. FYI, it's unlikely there will be any other brands available. This isn't your American bar with an infinity and beyond number of microbrews on tap!
"Lokal"
Prague, Czech Republic
I asked our cab driver which beer I HAD to try while in Prague. Pilsner Urquell. I admit, I swore he said "It's our welcome". I just nodded because who wants to look like a stupid American? I came to learn Pilsner Urquell is Czech's best known beer, brewed in the town of Plzen. AND...that the cab driver probably thought I was a stupid American.
2. Order a beer.
"Mom Busted!"
Prague, Czech Republic
Man that's a LOT of head on that pivo! Turns out...that's how Czechs like it. Go figure! You even have a choice of how MUCH head you'd like on your beer when ordering:
Slice - just a bit of head (the least popular)
Sweet - 4 finger widths of head (pictured above)
Cream - almost all head
And yes, you pay the same regardless of head size. The Better Half was gob-smacked when I told him this. As they say, when in Rome Prague!
3. "Pivo, prosim". Ask for more...because it's cheap after all! And don't forget to say "please". A little attempt at Czech goes a long way. At least you'll make your waiter laugh at the stupid American. And then they forget to mark down one of your pivos.
"Listek"
Prague, Czech Republic
A tab will be started on a scrap of paper at your table. Don't doodle on it, don't tear it, don't stash it in your purse as a souvenir...not that I tried that...maybe? When it comes time to pay, your waiter will tabulate your listek (scrap paper).
4. And most importantly...
"Enjoy"
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic
Cause I have to tell ya. I am NOT a beer kinda gal. I will drink it on occasion, but it's not usually my first choice. BUT...in Prague? Pivo is a horse hops of a different color! Brewed naturally from hand picked hops, unpasteurized, ultra fresh state, naturally carbonated. This ain't your American brewski fer sure. It's Pivo.
Na zdravi (nah zdra-vee) - to your health.
Na zdravi (nah zdra-vee) - to your health.
(click on image for description of Song-ography)
Next Tuesday's Song-ography title suggestion is "Give a Little Bit" by Roger Hodgson
Come back and link up!
Come back and link up!
Did you have the garlic soup with your pivo? The most delicious!!
ReplyDeleteI also don't drink beer, but I did try some "Kölsch" on our trip to Cologne, Germany. It's part of the experience. Just like you did in Prague.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Well, I learned a thing or two today! Way cool.
ReplyDeleteAfter all the drama of moving the youngster back into his dorm (changed rooms) my husband looked over at me and said "I need a drink!"; me: "if you're talking beer, I'd just as lick the floor and call it a day." Him: "now that you mention it, a diet coke sounds pretty good." We are not drinkers at all - even after all the drama the kids lay on our plate.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like you all had a fabulous time.
This is my kind of lesson! Like you, I would want to take in the local culture, including the beer!
ReplyDeleteBottoms up. Enjoyed learning about pivo.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big beer drinker, either, but I don't know a lot about beer either. So i would definitely have to try the Pivo!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have this info! Looks to me as if you had a great trip!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy a beer from time to time, so this looks like fun! The beer scorecard is a hoot!
ReplyDeleteI love learning about other countries, it sounds a lot different to pubs here
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up
I too am not a beer fan unless it is the lime-arita or straberita one of the companies puts out. Those i like. Looks like you had a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteLovely beer in Prague. I'm thirsty!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting journey through the beer world of Prague.
ReplyDeleteLovely.... we have good beer in the UK too
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
Very interesting. I would be ordering the least amount of head.
ReplyDelete